Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb says alcohol isn’t part of Saudi Arabia’s high-risk $1 trillion tourism plan.

Saudi Arabia is pulling out all the stops to become a premier tourist hotspot, splurging on projects like the Red Sea Project and Neom.

By 2030, they’re gunning to woo millions of globetrotters, giving the UAE a run for its money in the tourism and expat scene.

In a fashion-forward move in 2019, the kingdom eased up on its dress code for female visitors and rolled out a new tourism visa (remember, alcohol’s still a no-go). With hopes as high as the Burj Khalifa, the government aims to lure in 70 million international visitors by 2030, soaring past the 27 million mark in 2023.

Author

  • Simrin Gupta

    Meet Simrin, aka SimmyG. ahlan’s senior social media editor is an avid chocoholic, shopaholic, Bollywood buff, a doggo momma, and tofu addict. She loves taking long walks in McDonald's and her superpowers include sleeping for 48 hours straight. No breaks. The way to her heart is some good goss.

    View all posts
Simrin Gupta

Simrin Gupta

Meet Simrin, aka SimmyG. ahlan’s senior social media editor is an avid chocoholic, shopaholic, Bollywood buff, a doggo momma, and tofu addict. She loves taking long walks in McDonald's and her superpowers...